DocuSign can generate a CSV specific to the template you are working with to ensure the entered data maps to the desired fields in the envelope. This job aid provides the steps to create CSV spreadsheets specific to the template that you are working with for use with the Bulk Send process. If you are not familiar with how to create a Template or how to add Fields to a template please refer to the Create Template and Fields job aids.
Expand each accordion section below to learn about components in the CSV spreadsheet and DocuSign template.
1. Template
You should only attempt to create a CSV after the template is fully created and all necessary data fields are added. Please review this sample template and note the recipients and the data fields.
2. Generate a Bulk Send CSV
Click the Download CSV Template link that appears in the Import Bulk List pop-up window. This action will generate a Bulk Send CSV.
Helpful Note
- Please visit the Bulk Send job aids for information on how to access the window above.
Click the Download CSV Template link that appears in the Import Bulk List pop-up window. This action will generate a Bulk Send CSV.
3. Column Headings
Open the spreadsheet and view the columns and headers. The column headings fall into two categories, recipient's columns and the data fields columns.
Helpful Note
Please note the following:
- The list of recipients corresponds to the role, name, and email on the header columns.
- If your document contains data entry fields (e.g., text boxes, checkboxes, etc.), your spreadsheet will have more columns to the right of the recipient columns. Each additional column corresponds to a specific field on the template.
- Please be aware that renaming the header on the CSV directly will cause the bulk send to fail. To change the name, you must change the date label on the template.
4. Data Label and Column Headings
In the image below, the text box placed on the template where data will be populated by the CSV, with its attributes displayed on the right side.
Helpful Note
The Data Label attribute must be renamed in a manner so that the data columns can be identified, this in turn should match the columns in the spreadsheet you generate.
5. Populating CSV Spreadsheet
- Enter information into each data label for each role in your workflow.
- Continue entering information until complete.
- Save the CSV file.
Critical Note
When working with Employee ID, the column that contains Employee ID must be set to Text. Failing to do this, on IDs that have leading zero, the zero will be removed and the document will not have the right ID which could have downstream impact.
Important Information
When populating Employee ID data to a CSV, please be mindful that the CSV columns are formatted to "Text" so that leading zeros for the Employee ID are not truncated.